Had it not been for Phoenix Arcadia's Sosaia Maafu ripping off more than 250 yards in the quarterfinals, it may have been Liberty playing in the Division III semifinals last year. As it was, Arcadia rallied from a 17-0 deficit behind Maafu to end Liberty's season in a heartbreaking way, 35-34.

This year, the team hopes its defense is ready, and coach Dan Filleman has brought in an experienced defensive coach to help make sure of it. Former Phoenix Moon Valley and Goodyear Millennium head coach Mark Smith has come on as defensive coordinator as nine new starters join the mix.

A shored-up defense can only mean bad news for opponents. Liberty has lost only two regular-season games in its three official seasons at the varsity level, and Filleman has quietly done one of the West Valley's best coaching jobs, leading the team to a 30-5 record and three playoff appearances over that span.

The return of senior quarterback Tyler Rogers is sparking more optimism this season. In a breakout junior year, Rogers passed for almost 2,500 yards and had 30 touchdown passes. He also rushed for 747 yards.

"Tyler is a hard worker and does all the right things in the offseason," Filleman said. "For him, he's had improvement just from his maturity and understanding of the game and the coverages. He's picking all those things up."

If Rogers is to put up similar numbers this year, he'll have to do it without receiver Paul Panaccione, who caught 19 touchdown passes last season and now plays baseball at Grand Canyon University.

Filleman said a talented group of six receivers, including a freshman, are all going to make contributions in making up for Panaccione.

"I think the receiving group is still going to be pretty good," Filleman said. "We've had some guys step up."

Four seniors are in that mix, plus backup quarterback Tyler Wyatt, and for the first time under Filleman, a freshman in 6-foot-2, 200-pounder Alex Hunter.

Two linemen are getting serious college looks as Liberty plans to platoon players for the first time. Offensive lineman Gage Gipson (6-3, 250) is a senior, while defensive lineman Marcus Cheney (6-2, 215) is one of only two returning defensive starters.